Electric valve converting system



Oct. 24, 1939. H. J. SCHMIEDEL 2,177,500

ELECTRIC VALVE CONVERTING SYSTEM Filed March 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /2 i .l. I 5% FILTER 3, FILTER COQLER His AbtOTh ey.

Oct. 24, 1939. H J, CHMIEDEL 2,177,500

ELECTRIC VALVE CONVERTING SYSTEM Filed March 4, l958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

Inventor: Hans-Joachim Schm'Iede-I,

by W 6 JM M His Attorney.

Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE ELECTRIC VALVE CONVERTING SYSTEM Application March 4, 1938, Serial No. 194,007

In Germany March 6, 1937 Claims.

My invention relates to electric valve converting systems and more particularly to those systerms in which an arc is periodically ignited and extinguished between a couple of electrodes and 5 a continuous flow of some fluid medium is maintained between the electrodes.

Electric valves converting systems of the kind referred to have been described in a book by Erwin Marx entitled Lichtbogenstromrichter ll) published in Berlin in 1932, and in United States Letters Patent No. 2,074,930 granted March 23, 1937, upon the application of Erwin Marx. In such stems it has been customary to provide a continuous flow of gas, such as air, within the gap between the electrodes. In some of the arrangements the principal pair of electrodes has been provided with an auxiliary electrode which served as a starting or ignition electrode. After an arc had been started between one of the principal electrodes and the auxiliary electrode the arc was carried over to the other principal electrode. Due to the action of the oxygen in the air the principal electrodes are subject to considerable deterioration and in accordance with my invention I propose to utilize a relatively inert gas. It also would be desirable upon termination of the normal conductance period, that is, at the time when the arc becomes extinguished, that some arrangement could be provided for the rapid deionization of the space between the principal electrodes. While the flow of any suitable fluid medium between electrodes will accomplish this result, in certain instances it may be desirable to shorten this period of deionization. Accordingly, in accordance with my invention I vary the flow of the fluid medium between the principal electrodes so that this fluid medium has an optimum flow at the time the arc is initiated and a relatively greater flow at the time that the arc is extinguished.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an improved electric valve converting system of the type referred to in which the flow of the fluid medium between the principal elec- 5 trodes is controlled in accordance with the periodic initiation of an arc therebetween.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved electric valve converting system of the type referred to in which the direc tem of the type referred to in which a fluid medium is circulated and recirculated through the valve means.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of my invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 show modifications of my invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated therein an electric valve converting apparatus for transmitting energy between an alternating current circuit l0 and a direct current circuit ll. Since my invention is applicable to any of the electric valve converting systems well known in the art in which there is utilized an electric valve of the type referred to, the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 merely shows a half wave rectifying circuit for the purpose of simplicity in disclosure and explanation. The primary winding of a transformer I2 is energized from the alternating current source IE! and the secondary winding thereof is connected at one terminal to one side of the direct current circuit H and at the other terminal thereof to one of the principal electrodes of an electric valve l3 through a suitable inductor M. The other side of the direct current H is connected through a similar inductor 15 to the other principal electrode of electric valve l3. Since the constructional details of the electric valve 13 do not form any part of my invention the representation in Fig. 1 is purely schematic. The electric valve I3 is provided with two principal electrodes 16 and I! which are connected respectively to the inductors I4 and I5. As is well known by those skilled in the art of this type of electric valve means, some of these valves are only provided with two principal electrodes whereas others are provided with two principal electrodes together with an auxiliary or igniting electrode such as electrode l8, which is located in the proximity of the principal electrode H5. The auxiliary or starting electrode I8 is connected through two series capacitors l9 and 2!] to one side of the direct current circuit II. The capacitor I9 is bypassed by a suitable resistor 2! and the capacitor 20 is connected across one winding of a transformer 22 which is of the Tesla type. The primary winding of the, Tesla transformer 22 is energized through a rotary spark gap or commutator 23 which is interposed between the transformer 22 and the connections therefrom to the alternating current source IO. The rotary spark gap 23 or distributor is operated from a suitable motor 24 which is energized from the source of alternating current ID.

The operation of the valve system may be briefly described as follows: An alternating potential derived from the source I!) is impressed between the principal electrodes I6 and I! of the valve means I3 by means of a transformer I2. The auxiliary electrode I8 will have a potential substantially the same as the potential appearing across the secondary winding of the Tesla transformer 22 since the capacitor I9 which is shunted by a resistor 2| is relatively small in value. The rotary spark gap 23 is synchronously driven by the motor 24. The moment of ignition of the valves may be varied by adjusting the position of the commutator or rotary spark gap 23 thereby to control the power output of the electric valve converting system. When the rotary spark gap or commutator 23 energizes the Tesla transformer, an oscillating circuit is formed by the capacitor 20 and one winding of the Tesla transformer so that a relatively high voltage is impressed upon the auxiliary electrode I3. As a result thereof an arc is initiated between the auxiliary electrode l8 and the main electrode IE. This initiation of an arc between the main and auxiliary electrodes causes an impulse to be impressed across the main electrodes I6 and I1 50 that an arc discharge is, formed therebetween. Obviously, means should be provided for rapidly extinguishing the are between the auxiliary electrode I8 and the main electrode l6 so that the main current will not flow through the auxiliary spark gap. One means for preventing this is obtained by the use of a capacitor I9 and resistor 2|.

The electric valve means I3 is so constructed as to receive a fluid medium such as a relatively inert gas, for example nitrogen, through suitable duct openings 25 and 26 which are located at cpposite ends of the surrounding casing or envelope of the electric valve means. The arrows indicate 1e direction of the flow of the medium through the end chambers into the main chamber 21. A portion of this medium also flows through the auxiliary chamber 28 so as to emerge between the principal electrode I6 and the auxiliary ignition electrode I 8. The fluid medium then flows through the openings in the principal electrodes past the reflectors 29 and 3D, the smaller end chambers which are connected to the ducts 3! and 32. Ducts or conduits 25, 26, 3| and 32 are connected to a suitable source of fluid mediun'l contained in the chambers 33 and 34. The chamber 33 is provided with a filter 35, a suitable cooling means 36 and an impeller fan 3'! which is driven by a motor 38 energized from any suit able source of current 39. The chamber 34 is also provided with a suitable filter 40. The filters 35 and 40 serve to remove any impurities from the fluid medium and the cooling device serves to reduce the temperature of the fluid m dium to the proper value. In accordance with my invention, a valve 4| is connected on the intake side of the valve means I3 so as to control the flow of the fluid medium in accordance with the initiation of the are between the principal electrodes. The valve M is connected to be operated in synchronism with the rotary spark gap or distributor 23 so that during the time for initiation of the are an optimum flow of the fluid medium will occur between the principal electrodes and at the end of the normal period of conductivity of the are discharge between the electrodes the flow of the fluid medium will be increased so as to rapidly deionize the gap between the principal electrodes. It of course will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the valve means 4I may be constructed so as to properly control the flow of the fluid medium in accordance with the requirements of the operation of the electric valve means I3.

While the particular direction of flow of the fluid medium through the electric valve I3 has been indicated by arrows, it of course will be understood that my invention is not limited to the utilization of a device having this particular direction of flow and that any other device may be substituted having other orifices and arrangements for directing the flow of the fluid medium between the principal electrodes of the valve means. In some arrangements, therefore, it may be desirable to periodically reverse the flow of the fluid medium between the principal electrodes in accordance with the periods of conductivity and non-conductivity oi the valve means. Such an arrangement has been shown in Fig. 2 in which the rectangle I3 represents the valve means of the same general type as that shown in Fig. 1. Two chambers 42 and 43 for containing a source of fluid medium are provided, each of which is arranged to have a filter and cooling medium or device therein. The chambers 42 and 43 are connected respectively to the cylinders 44 and 45 which are each provided with suitable pistons which are driven by the motor 24 which operates the synchronous rotary spark gap or distributor 23 which controls the ignition of the electric valve I 3. Thus, during the period of conductivity of the valve IS the fluid medium flows in one direction and during the period of non-conductivity the fluid medium flows in the opposite direction.

A further modification of my invention is shown in Fig. 3 in which electric valve I3 is provided with two chambers 42 and 43, one of which is connected to a cylinder 44 and the other of which is connected to a storage or compression tank 455. The cylinder 44 is operated from the synchronous motor 24 which drives the synchronous distributor or rotary spark gap 23. Thus, in this arrangement the flow of the fluid medium also period ically reverses in accordance with the periodic ignition of th are between the principal elec trodes of the valve means I3. In these arrangements the size of the chambers, the ducts and the compression chamber may be so designed that the reversal of the flow of the fluid medium amplified by a natural period of oscillation.

While I have shown a particular application of my invention to an electric valve converting apparatus, it is to be understood that this is merely illustrative one of a number of electric valve converting or translating apparatus to which my invention may be applied. It will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since it is apparent that the principles herein disclosed are susceptible of numerous other applications, and modifications may be made in the circuit arrangements and in the instrumentalities employed to which my invention may be applied without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electric valve converting system, the

combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc therebetween, a source of fluid medium, and means for controlling the flow of said medium through said valve means in synchronism with the periodic initiation of said arc.

2. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes within an envelope, means for periodically initiating an are between said electrodes, a source of a relatively inert fluid medium, means for filtering said medium and means for controlling the flow of said medium through said valve means in synchronism with the periodic initiation of said arc.

3. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes within an envelope, means for periodically initiating an are between said electrodes, a source of a relatively inert fluid medium, means for cooling said medium, and means for circulating and recirculating said medium through said envelope dependent upon the periodic initiation of said arc.

4. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including at least two cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc therebetween, means for producing a flow of a fluid medium between said electrodes, and means for controlling the rate of flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic ignition of said arc.

5. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc between said electrodes, means for producing a flow of a fluid medium between said electrodes, and means for periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic ignition of said arc.

6. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc therebetween, a source of fluid medium, means for circulating and recirculating said medium through said valve means, and means for,regulating the flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic initiation of said are.

7. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc therebetween, a source of fluid medium, means for circulating and recirculating said medium through said valve means, and

means for periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic ignition of said arc.

8. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comp-rising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc between said electrodes, means for producing a flow of a fluid medium between said electrodes, means for periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic ignition of said arc, and means for cooling and filtering said medium before it recirculates through said valve means.

9. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc therebetween, a source of fluid medium, means for circulating and recirculating said medium through said valve means, means for regulating the flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic initiation of said arc, and means for cooling and filtering said medium prior to recirculation of said medium through said valve means.

10. In an electric valve converting system, the combination comprising valve means including a pair of cold electrodes, means for periodically initiating an arc therebetween, a source of fluid medium, means for circulating and recirculating said medium through said valve means, means for periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said medium in accordance with the periodic ignition of said are, and means for cooling and filtering said medium prior to recirculation thereof through said valve means. HANS JOACHIM SCI-IMIEDEL. 

